ArcGIS Mobile map layers
The ArcGIS Mobile System can display many types of geographic data layers and has been designed to maximize cartographic quality with the limited display of mobile devices. To provide editing and query capabilities with rapid drawing, the map layers are separated into two groups: operational and basemap layers. By limiting the operational layers to only those needed to collect and edit data (or to query data), the system can minimize the work for the device's processor. Static data that rarely changes can be displayed as basemap layers, which are optimized for drawing performance.
Basemap layers
Basemap layers provide reference information used for visualization as well as map navigation purposes (aerial imagery, streets, land parcel boundaries, and so on.). Basemap layers are often maintained by other departments within the enterprise or are acquired or purchased from an external source. Basemap layers cannot be edited, so there is no need to synchronize this data between the server and client. Since these data layers are not updated frequently, it is recommended that they be deployed to the mobile device independent of a mobile project.
Basemap layers can come from one of the following four sources:
- Local StreetMap for Windows Mobile
- Local Tile Map Cache
- Connected ArcGIS Server Map Service
- Connected ArcGIS Online Map Service
StreetMap is a dataset that can be used with ArcGIS for Windows Mobile and is available for your field projects. StreetMap will need to be copied to your mobile device but, as a local basemap data source, can operate from separate media called StreetMap for Mobile. The media contains data content and an application for extracting the extent of data that fits your location. Using the extractor and StreetMap dataset, you can create a basemap that includes street centerlines and additional points of interest for your field projects. StreetMap can operate whether you are connected or disconnected from the network while in the field.
In addition to a local StreetMap, you can take advantage of maps you've published using ArcGIS for Server with the tile cache option checked on. A local tile map cache is a cached map service that you have created for web applications. For a mobile client, you can copy the cache folder itself to your mobile device and view it as a basemap layer in your mobile project. The advantage of this approach is that you can construct high quality cartographic maps, or you can purchase tile map caches from data providers (including Esri) and leverage them directly on your mobile device. ArcGIS for Desktop includes tools you can use to clip the extent and levels that you are most interested in for your applications.
For situations where you have good wireless connectivity and don't want to store your data locally, you can specify a map service from ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS for Server as a basemap. You connect to the services and display them on your mobile device when connected in the field. The advantage of using connected map services is that when the data source is updated, you will be able to receive those updates. With the ability to connect to your own hosted services, you can publish map services in the projection that makes sense for your use and include the content that is useful for your applications.
If you do not have your own basemap datasets, or are interested in using the connected services from ArcGIS Online, you can connect and use those as well. You will be limited to the services that Esri provides and the tile levels based on the availability and resolution of the datasets hosted.
Operational layers
Operational map layers contain the working content of your mobile map. They are the layers in your field map that may need frequent updates, need to be queried, and that you may need to edit or collect features while out in the field.
With ArcGIS for Windows Mobile, operational map layer content is stored locally inside a mobile cache. The source for the local data may be a mobile service, mobile cache, or hosted feature service as operational layers. This mobile cache is created by obtaining data from a mobile service or a hosted feature service, or by the Create Mobile Cache geoprocessing tool. All these layer types, if configured appropriately, can be edited and synchronized from mobile devices in the field (except a mobile cache generated from geoprocessing tools).